Things to Do in Abidjan in October

A serene escape into the aquatic heart of Abidjan. Gliding across the placid, tea-colored lagoon waters, you'll see dense mangroves lining the shores and fishermen casting wide nets from traditional pirogues, their wooden boats painted in faded blues and greens. You'll feel a cool, persistent breeze off the water that carries the faint, earthy smell of wet vegetation. You'll hear the distant cry of waterbirds.

Immerses you in the dense, vertical canyons of the Plateau, the city's business core. You'll hear the echoing chatter of office workers on their breaks. You'll see the impressive modernist architecture of the Saint-Paul Cathedral. You'll feel the organized chaos of crossing major intersections where street vendors sell everything from phone credit to sunglasses. The guide weaves tales of economic boom, political history, and daily life into the fabric of the skyscrapers.

Ventures into neighborhoods like Treichville and Adjame, where the city's soul is most audible and visible. You'll hear the thunderous beat of coupé-décalé music spilling from tape shops. You'll smell the complex aromas of spice stalls piled with dried fish and chili peppers. You'll see intricate wax print fabrics hanging in impressive cascades from market stalls. This is Abidjan at street level, dynamic and unfiltered.

Allows for a tailored look at based on your specific interests, whether that's contemporary Ivorian art galleries in Cocody, the large Adjamé market, or the well-known Hotel Ivoire. You'll feel the smooth, air-conditioned respite of a private vehicle between stops. Then you'll step out into the thick, warm air to touch handwoven textiles or taste a tart, fresh coconut purchased from a roadside stand.

Contrasts the modern metropolis with the haunting, time-worn beauty of Ivory Coast's first colonial capital. In Grand Bassam, you'll see decaying pastel-colored colonial buildings strangled by tree roots. You'll feel the cooler ocean breeze on your skin. You'll hear the crash of Atlantic waves on a near-empty beach. The return journey to Abidjan frames the towering skyline as a startling counterpoint.

A dedicated journey to the Marahoué National Park, a significant drive from Abidjan, in search of West Africa's elusive hippopotamus populations. In the quiet of the park, you'll hear the deep, resonant grunts of hippos. You'll see their massive forms breach the muddy water of the river. You'll smell the wild, grassy scent of the savanna mingled with dust.